DALLAS — The Knicks' first eight games of the season have been a roller coaster.

They've had some ups, like pushing some contending teams late into games. And they've had some downs, like never being able to finish off any of those victories when they push good teams.

Some players have made strides, others haven't.

The Knicks, who will play the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, are 2-6. They're a young team and losses are likely going to continue to pile up.

But here's a look at three things that have gone wrong and three that have gone right through their first eight games:

What's gone wrong

Not being able to close out games

New York Knicks guard Allonzo Trier (14) is fouled as the drives to the basket against Boston Celtics forward Aron Baynes (46) and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, at Madison Square Garden in New York.(Photo: Mary Altaffer, AP)

The Knicks have pushed the Celtics, the Bucks and now the Pacers, arguably three of the top five teams in the Eastern Conference, deep into games, but each time they came away with a loss.

Playing a full 48 minutes has been a challenge.

They've gotten closer. They led Indiana by three points with three minutes remaining Wednesday night but ended up losing, 107-101.

The Knicks have too often found themselves either letting up on their defensive intensity or seeing their offense stall.

Against the Pacers, they had breakdowns on both ends of the floor.

As well as they've played in several of their games, the Knicks don't have much to show for it.

"I mean, you can only go through so many games and say it’s the youth," Tim Hardaway Jr. said. "There’s got to come a point in time we’ve got to buckle down and close these games out, especially when we have a four-point lead with like three, four minutes left to go in the game."

Kevin Knox's injury

New York Knicks forward Kevin Knox reacts after injuring himself during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, at Madison Square Garden in New York.(Photo: Mary Altaffer, AP)

Knox had a strong performance against the Nets by scoring 17 points and draining three three-pointers the game before he rolled his ankle against the Celtics.

Knox has been out for nearly two weeks but his return to the court appears to be getting closer.

The rookie has been able to learn from the bench, seeing the way the Knicks communicate, defend and run their offense from a different perspective.

But still, the Knicks would much rather have him out on the floor.

Mario Hezonja's play

New York Knicks' Mario Hezonja drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks' Eric Bledsoe during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, in Milwaukee.(Photo: Aaron Gash/AP Photo)

The Knicks signed Hezonja to a one-year, $6.5 million contract in the offseason hoping the former lottery pick could turn his career around after three disappointing seasons in Orlando.

He's had some solid performances but hasn't been able to stay consistent.

Hezonja is averaging 8.8 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting just 36.7 percent from the field and 25 percent from the perimeter.

Hezonja hasn't given the Knicks what they need defensively, either.

He had 18 points on 8-of-16 shooting in a loss to the Bucks, seemingly beginning to turn things around. But he's averaging 8.3 points and shooting just 31.7 percent (17.6 percent from the arc) in the four games since.

What's gone right

Mitchell Robinson's progress

New York Knicks' Mitchell Robinson (26) dunks in front of Brooklyn Nets' Joe Harris (12) during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, in New York.(Photo: Frank Franklin II/Associated Press)

Before the regular season began, Fizdale was talking about sending Robinson to the G-League so he could get some minutes.

Six games into the season, Robinson was in the starting lineup.

The young center is still raw, but he's still shown improvement. He's averaging five points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per game.

Robinson's defense has been strong, whether he's blocking shots in the paint or flying to the perimeter to contest threes. He's starting to adjust to the NBA game and he's beginning to know where he should be more often.

Whether he's making a dunk or coming through with a block, there's been some encouraging signs about Robinson's development for the Knicks.

"I’ve got a lot of confidence in Mitchell and I really like the way that he’s coming along," coach David Fizdale said.

The emergence of Damyean Dotson, Noah Vonleh and Allonzo Trier

Noah Vonleh.(Photo: Nick Wass/AP Photo)

Dotson didn't play the Knicks' first two games. Vonleh came into the season as a lottery pick whose career hadn't yet met expectations. Trier is an undrafted rookie who's on a two-way contract.

They've all made the most of their opportunities.

Dotson had 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting (2-of-4 from the perimeter) in 31 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Pacers, while Vonleh had 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting with 10 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in 32 minutes.

His minutes increased significantly after Knox suffered a sprained ankle. He's going to make it tough on Fizdale to find him minutes after Knox returns.

"Like I said, when I wasn’t playing him he was making it hard on me not to play him," Fizdale said. "It was just a matter of time before he broke though."

Vonleh has impressed with his versatility. He's strong around the basket but he can knock down outside shots and he's an excellent rebounder. He's also been better than expected defensively and had three blocks and two steals against Indiana on Wednesday.

The former lottery pick is averaging 8.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.

Trier, meanwhile, has provided a spark off the bench. The rookie had 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting against the Pacers and is averaging 9.3 points per game.

Tim Hardaway Jr.'s consistency

For however long Kristaps Porzingis is out, the Knicks need Hardaway to be their No. 1 scoring option.

In the past Hardaway has been a streaky shooter, but he's been consistent so far this season.

He takes a lot of shots (he's averaging 20 field-goal attempts this season) and not all of them are good ones, but he's putting up numbers the Knicks need.

"He’s competing his butt off," Fizdale said. "He’s trying to win every game. He’s doing a great job of leading this group. Really been happy with the way he’s competing defensively. I think he’s playing at an all-star level despite our record."